AIS Transmitter...

[Caladh]

Looking to fit something over the winter. I currently "receive only" from a Standard Horizon 2200 and display to RM chart plotter . It appears both em-trak b100 or Vesper xb800 are well thought of. Are OP's happy with these products?

Can I still use the SH VHF to receive and will I need some sort of splitter so I can use my mast head VHF aerial to transmit ?

Ta

 

[LadyInBed]

It appears both em-trak b100 or Vesper xb800 are well thought of.

but not easy to compare, as Vesper xb800 has WiFi and b100 doesn't.
Physically, I prefer the layout of the xb800 - all the cables drop in the same direction and the box looks more robust, but cost is way higher.

 

[prv]

Physically, I prefer the layout of the xb800 - all the cables drop in the same direction and the box looks more robust, but cost is way higher.

Em-Trak have a couple of different case designs used across their model range - there is one which is a bit squarer and has all the cables on the same side. Having handled a couple I have no particular reason to doubt their robustness. Something like this will be mounted in an equipment space (behind the chart table panel, etc) anyway.

Pete

 

[LadyInBed]

Em-Trak have a couple of different case designs used across their model range

Yes, I have an em-trak B330 ClassB where all the cables drop vertically, but that wasn't the model the OP was asking about.

 

[[70521]]

I have a WatchMate 850 from Vesper and that one uses a splitter. Very happy with the product as friends and family know where I am and if I'll get back for last orders.

 

[Caladh]

Def. don't require the Watchmate or similar. I really just want as transmitter but this isn't possible. As I already receive via the Standard Horizon is this likely to interfere with another receiver ?

 

[LadyInBed]

As I already receive via the Standard Horizon is this likely to interfere with another receiver ?

I wouldn't have thought so, try it and see, you can always disconnect VHF AIS Rx from Chart Plotter, connect new Transceiver to Chart Plotter.

 

[mersey]

Its an interesting time to be buying an AIS transponder, as devices using the SOTDMA Class B specification are starting to be released by the mainstream vendors. Up to now most class B devices sold have been using the CSTDMA spec. I predict within a couple of years most class B sold will be to the SOTDMA standard.

Power is up 5W v 2W, this helps with range. Updates are every 30 secs at 2-14 knots, every 15 secs 14-23 knots, and every 5 seconds over 23 knots, versus a fixed every 30 secs above 3 knots for the CSTDMA spec devices.

For my money, if I was buying today I'd be looking at one using the SOTDMA standard.

Some of the devices using the SOTDMA standard :

https://www.prscomms.co.uk/webshop/ais-transponders/1658-em-trak-b360.html

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/623924

http://www.raymarine.com/ais/ais700/

 

[lpdsn]

Power is up 5W v 2W, this helps with range. Updates are every 30 secs at 2-14 knots, every 15 secs 14-23 knots, and every 5 seconds over 23 knots, versus a fixed every 30 secs above 3 knots for the CSTDMA spec devices.

What's the update rate for ones left on in the marina?

This is an important question as I plan to give up buying new charts and will just use the AIS display to find the nearest marina full of parked boats. A technique that I intend to call AIStro navigation.

 

[ithet]

At SIBS, Cactus were offering XB-6000 and XB-8000 with free splitter. Seems to be still on offer. The XB-6000 package at £500 is closer to the the em-trak 100 i.e no wifi but has a built in GPS antenna. I am happy with my XB-6000 and have added an external nmea-WiFi unit (<£50).

http://www.cactusnav.com/vesper-marine-xb6000-transponder-p-19888.html

 

[mersey]

What's the update rate for ones left on in the marina?

This is an important question as I plan to give up buying new charts and will just use the AIS display to find the nearest marina full of parked boats. A technique that I intend to call AIStro navigation.

lol, Class B is every 3mins below 2 knots.

 

[knuterikt]

We have SH2200, emtrak b-100 and Raymarine es127.
when we displayed AIS from SH2200 we where followed by a ghost with same MMSI as our boat, have not found a way to filter own MMSI.